Poroshenko Tells Security Agencies to Speed Up Release of Detained Soldiers

President Petro Poroshenko orders the country's security agencies to take resolute steps toward the release of detained Ukrainian servicemen.

KIEV, January 4 (Sputnik) — Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has asked the heads of the country’s law enforcement agencies to intensify their work to release Ukrainian soldiers detained by militia in Donbas, said a press statement published on the president’s website Sunday.

“President Poroshenko held a working meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies… The president instructed to intensify efforts for the release of the Ukrainian servicemen that are in captivity,” the statement read.

According to the president, Ukraine's Security Service has provided Kiev authorities with information about the number and location of detained soldiers.

An armed conflict broke out in Ukraine’s eastern regions in April, when Kiev authorities launched a military offensive against local independence supporters.

The sides reached a ceasefire agreement in Minsk in early September, brokered by Russia and the OSCE, and signed a memorandum specifying the ceasefire’s implementation on September 19. Among the agreements reached between the warring parties was an all-for-all exchange of detainees.

Despite reports of numerous ceasefire violations on both sides, several prisoner swaps have taken place in recent months, with the latest being carried out on December 26.